Getting your skincare routine right shouldn’t be rocket science. Still, people come to our Denver acupuncture clinic every day, frustrated with their current routines and looking for guidance on caring for their skin.
Here’s the secret to a skincare routine that works: The best skincare approach is a customized one, based on your unique skin patterns and challenges.
To help you get started, we’ve created three simple skincare rituals for the most common skin types: dry, acne-prone, and mature. Read on to meet the natural skincare routine that’s right for your skin!
Hydrate and Nourish: A Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin
Dry skin occurs when the skin’s sebaceous glands don’t produce enough oil to moisturize the skin. Those with dry skin may notice they have a small pore size, a matte appearance, rough patches, and a dull skin tone. You may also experience mild to severe flaking, peeling, and itching. Over time, dry skin can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and even deep cracks that bleed.
Dry skin can be caused by aging, underlying medical conditions, or environmental conditions. For example, dryness, wind, and sunny days in Denver quickly leads to dry skin. Using harsh chemicals or astringent toners that damage the skin’s natural barrier can also cause dryness.
The Routine:
1. Exfoliate gently to revive dry skin.
Although dry skin doesn’t require regular or intense exfoliation, gentle weekly exfoliation can help slough off dead skin cells and revive tired skin.
Mix 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of honey and ½ a ripe avocado. Apply the mixture to your skin and rub in circular motions to buff away dead skin while nourishing any dry areas.
2. Cleanse with a gentle wash.
Using natural oils to break down heavy makeup and cleanse away the day’s grime is an excellent method for those with dry skin, as it prevents drying the skin out further with harsh soaps.
Apply 1 tablespoon of high-quality almond oil to your face, massaging it into the skin. Let it rest for 5 minutes. Gently wipe off with a warm, damp washcloth. For even better results, steam your face before applying the oil.
3. Tone with natural hydration.
Toners help maintain the skin’s pH balance, but they can be drying.
To make a toner that’s perfect for dry skin, opt for naturally cleansing and hydrating ingredients like cucumber. Blend a cucumber (with the skin) in your food processor or blender and reserve the juice. Use a cotton pad to apply it to your skin. Refrigerate any leftover cucumber juice and use it within a few days.
Alternatively, you could make a green tea toner. Steep two green tea bags in a cup of water for 10 minutes. Let it cool, then transfer to a spray bottle for easy application.
4. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Of course, moisturizing is an essential step for those with dry skin. Choose a natural non-pore-clogging moisturizer to hydrate and nourish the skin after cleansing. Almond oil, rosehip oil, or jojoba oil can be used to lock in the skin’s natural moisture. Depending on how dry your skin is, you may need to reapply moisturizer multiple times per day.
5. Treat your skin with a weekly mask.
A hydrating mask is a special treat for dry or tired skin. Mix 1 teaspoon of nourishing rose clay and oatmeal with 2 tbsp of rosewater or glycerin. Add 5 to 10 drops of rosehip oil for added moisture and glowing effect.
6. Sleep with a humidifier.
Hours of sleeping in dry air can make even your best skincare efforts seem useless. To keep your skin hydrated through the night, sleep with a cool-mist humidifier on – especially in the drier months.
7. Nourish from the inside out with Chinese herbs and diet.
Chinese herbal medicine and a skin-food diet can help to restore healthy skin from within. We’ll focus on herbs that balance your unique skincare needs, and foods rich in healing antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats.
Clarify and Heal: A Skin Care Routine for Acne-Prone Skin
Acne occurs when our sebaceous glands produce more oil than necessary. This excess oil clogs the pores and leads to whiteheads, blackheads, or inflamed lesions or cysts. Acne-prone skin tends to have large pores and a greasy, shiny appearance.
If your skin is acne-prone, it’s likely sensitive to alkaline soaps and cleansers. These dry out the skin, which can cause your body to produce even more oil in response and the cycle continues.
The Routine:
1. Exfoliate regularly with cleansing ingredients.
Regular exfoliation is an important step in the acne-prone skincare routine. This helps remove dead skin cells, as these cells can block pores and make acne breakouts worse.
Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 teaspoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, 1/2 teaspoon of vitamin E oil, and 2 drops of tea tree oil. Apply the scrub in a circular motion while gently massaging the skin. Wash off with cold water.
2. Clarify with a strategic cleanser
Choosing the right cleanser is key for acne-prone skin. There are many cleansers on the market that target acne, but few are made with natural ingredients. In some cases, they can lead to increased inflammation and dryness which can make acne worse.
Instead of a drying chemical cleanser, consider cleansing with a natural oil like jojoba. Jojoba is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores. Instead, it attracts excess oil and dirt and washes them away.
3. Tone and refresh.
Using a natural toner will help remove any lingering dirt or oils and give your skin a clean slate.
Good quality apple cider vinegar is one of nature’s best natural toners for acne-prone skin. Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp of lemon juice in a cup of water. Transfer the toner into a spray bottle. When ready to use, spray a cotton pad with the toner and gently wipe your face.
If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, peppermint tea also makes an excellent toner for acne-prone skin. Steep 1-2 teabags of peppermint tea in hot water for 15 minutes. Soak a cotton pad with the tea and gently wipe your face. Store the rest of the tea in a spray bottle to use later, or drink it to cool inflammation from the inside out.
4. Moisturize with care.
Many people with acne-prone skin are nervous about moisturizing because they don’t want creams or oils to clog their pores even more. But by using too many drying agents and not moisturizing, the skin produces more sebum and acne gets worse.
Choose a non-comedogenic oil like grapeseed or sweet almond oil and apply a light layer after cleansing and toning. These oils absorb quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy finish.
5. Purify with a face mask.
Face masks can be an excellent way to balance oily skin. Mix 1 tbsp of french, bentonite, or kaolin clay or activated charcoal with 1 tablespoon of distilled water and 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil. You can also add 3 drops of geranium or tea tree essential oil. Apply on your face and let it dry. Then wash off with a warm washcloth and moisturize.
6. A workout a day keeps the breakouts away.
Managing acne can be frustrating, but the best results come with a whole lifestyle approach. A simple way to fight acne holistically is to take on a daily exercise habit.
Exercise allows you to sweat and causes your pores to open and expel excess sebum and dirt. Regular exercise also improves blood circulation to your skin and gives you that healthy post-workout glow. Not to mention, exercise squashes stress which is one of the leading causes of stubborn acne.
7. Beat stress and clear inflammation with acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
Along with exercise, acupuncture is excellent at busting the stress that leads to acne breakouts and redness. Acupuncture also pairs amazingly with Chinese herbal medicine to clear away toxins, reduce inflammation, and prevent future breakouts.
Restore and Support: A Skin Care Routine for Mature Skin
Mature skin isn’t a skin type, but the condition of our skin as we age. The natural shifts and changes the body goes through over time (as well as chronic stress) can cause the skin to lose its elasticity and tone. Some of the most common issues people complain of as their skin ages is thinning, dryness, sagging, hyperpigmentation, age spots, fine lines, deep wrinkles, and dull tone.
A healthy lifestyle and a smart skincare routine help prevent early aging and support the skin through every phase of life.
The Routine:
1. Exfoliate gently to reveal new skin.
Exfoliating helps restore the skin’s youthful glow and natural ability to regenerate. Gentle exfoliation can also reduce hyperpigmentation and stimulate restorative blood flow to the skin.
Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon organic natural yogurt, ½ tablespoon raw honey, 1 drop of pure lavender essential oil, and 1 drop of pure frankincense essential oil. While baking soda gently removes dead skin cells, the organic yogurt’s lactic acid helps to reverse premature aging.
2. Cleanse with nourishing oil.
Cleanse mature skin with a moisturizer that wipes away grime without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Mix 1 tablespoon of almond oil with 1 tablespoon of castor oil and massage gently into the skip. Rub the skin in small round circles to lift any dirt, makeup, or other oils. Wash away with a warm washcloth.
3. Tone with a rejuvenating elixir.
A toner helps to clear any excess dirt or oils from the skin while also improving the skin’s tone.
Green tea is a great natural toner for mature skin as it reduces puffiness, sagging, and age spots. Brew 1-2 bags of green tea, let cool, then transfer to a spray bottle. Apply to a cotton pad and sweep across the face gently, always moving up and out.
4. Moisturize with rejuvenating facial oils.
Over time, the skin starts to produce less oil and lays down less collagen. As a result, skin starts to look dull, saggy, or dry. To keep your skin nourished and protected as you age, moisturize with a rejuvenating and restorative facial oil.
Lightweight oils such as argan, rosehip, and evening primrose are perfect for mature skin. Massage a light layer into the skin in the morning and night.
5. Support with a weekly mask.
A weekly mask gives your skin an extra dose of nourishing oils, antioxidants, and stimulating blood flow.
For an anti-aging face mask mix 1 tablespoon of matcha powder, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of evening primrose oil to form a paste. Apply to clean skin and let sit for 10-20 minutes. Wash off with a warm washcloth.
6. Make face yoga a daily ritual.
In addition to your daily skincare routine, why not give your face an age-defying workout? Face yoga strengthens your skin muscles, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and increases circulation to the face. Research shows that regular facial exercises make women look years younger.
7. Protect with prevention.
Cosmetic acupuncture, or facial rejuvenation acupuncture, is one of the most effective, natural ways to keep your skin looking young and healthy throughout every phase of life.
Shine On with a Skincare Routine Made Just for You
Taking care of your largest organ is kind of a big deal – and we’re here to help you get it right.
Wellnest Denver Acupuncture provides expert natural skincare – from cosmetic acupuncture to dietary recommendations to natural products, we’ve got you covered! With our holistic treatments and skincare know-how, you can stop stressing over your skin and start flaunting it.
Want to take it a step further and focus on your hair? Read here to find out how to have healthier tresses and a thicker head of hair!
Ready to go beyond beauty store basics? Book your consultation today to get a customized skincare routine and holistic treatment plan from expert Denver acupuncture facialist, Garryn Skurulsky. We can’t wait to see you shine!
